Worm ID

Emptyness · Sep 23, 2020

Hello everyone.

I've got a Worm in my tank and I don't know if it's good or a bad one. I am split between a Fireworm and a Bristleworm.

The worm is really shy and comes mostly at night or in a low lights. I don't believe it's bothering the Discosoma mushroom that much, but just by touching it, it causes the shroom to retract a bit. And she wants to make the jump from the shell to the rock and I think one thing that's stoping her is that the room loves the niche behind the shell and stay moslty there.

Here are some pictures of it. What is his name and should I remove it or is it a beneficial for my tank?

Thanks again for your help and happy reefing

(I've got it right this time!)

Spare time · Sep 23, 2020

Its a bristleworm. Fireworms have a distinct color.

They are harmless but can be painful if you touch them (they have little teddy bear cactus like bristles that stick in your hand). They scavenge for leftover food. I personally hate them but others don't mind them (and some like them).

They typically hitchike on live rock, empty shells that haven't been dried, or coral frags that you don't dip.

Emptyness · Sep 24, 2020

Spare time said:
Its a bristleworm. Fireworms have a distinct color.

They are harmless but can be painful if you touch them (they have little teddy bear cactus like bristles that stick in your hand). They scavenge for leftover food. I personally hate them but others don't mind them (and some like them).

They typically hitchike on live rock, empty shells that haven't been dried, or coral frags that you don't dip.

Thanks.

I think I will let it be in my tank then. It can do some clean up since I don't have anything other than the 3 corals in there. And some starfishes that came out of the live rock as well.

Spare time · Sep 24, 2020

Emptyness said:
Thanks.

I think I will let it be in my tank then. It can do some clean up since I don't have anything other than the 3 corals in there. And some starfishes that came out of the live rock as well.

Some fish eat them like spaghetti and other scavengers like them as a tasty snack so they also serve that role